''the simplest decorative details and those that are most universally used in buildings are called moldings. they are plane or cylindrical surfaces, convex, concave, or of double curvature, and they are sometimes plain and sometimes enriched by carving.
''a molding with double curvature is called a cyma, or wave moulding. if the tangents to the curve at top and bottom are horizontal as if the profile were cut from a horizontal wavy line, it is called a cyma recta, if vertical , as if cut from a vertical line, a cyma reversa, ... the cyma recta is sometimes called cyma reversa, when it is turned upside down. but this leads to confusion.
''some architectural features, such as bases, caps, and baulsters, consist entirely of mouldings. others
consist mainly of plain surfaces, mouldings being employed to mark the boundary between different
features, ''
william r ware, the american vignola.
